Business News
Stephens & George returns for second XL 105 long perfector
Friday 09. January 2009 - Stephens & George has returned to Heidelberg for a second Speedmaster XL 105 long perfector with Inpress Control and CutStar.
The company ordered one of the first new generation XL 105 long perfectors just before the official launch at Drupa. That was an eight-colour. This time it is taking a ten-colour model which will be used primarily for magazines and will be back up for the companys SM 102-12P.
“When we installed the first machine we knew our operators would face a cultural change with Inpress Control. They were trained on it and we talked to them about it and they have embraced this new technology. They are very impressed with the speed of makeready and the way it gets to top quality quickly and retains it,” says group managing director Andrew Jones.
“Inpress Control is better than ImageControl because of the automation, It brings the sheet into register and gets the quality spot on. The key with the XL 105 is that it is a better build. It really does run at 15,000sph and with CutStar provides a really industrialised solution.”
The company says the XL 105 is achieving at least 35% better productivity than the SM 102 series presses and in November the eight-colour XL 105 topped the 5 million impressions a month mark.
The ten-colour will be installed this month and be in full production by mid February.
“The problem remains that the industry is still cutting prices so we are running faster to stand still. You have to have the right technology to remain in the game. Our turnover last year was £20m and we have budgeted for a slight increase in the current financial year,” says Mr Jones.